Electrical jack

ABSTRACT

An electrical jack of the type adapted for side-by-side mounting in an electrical jack panel which includes a pair of frame members each having a portion to which are connected a plurality of jack springs separated by insulating blocks and each being spaced from that same portion of the other frame member by a spacing block disposed between said portions to prevent relative movement thereof and which is offset to enable adjacent jacks to be interlocked with each other.

[111 3,822,415 July 2, 1974 Copcnhaver ct 179/96 X Y 2/1936 Trump ct317/112 X 5/1939 Obszarny......i................. ,317/112 X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 218,819 Australia...............................179/97 0r Firm-Dorsey, Marquart, Windhorst, West 8; Halladay ABSTRACT Anelectrical jack of the type ,adapted for'side-by-side electrical jackpanel which includes a ty of. jack springs separated by ulating blocksand each being Spaced from that same portion of the other frame memberby a spacing Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Lawrence.1. Staab Attorney, Agent mounting in an pair of'frame members eachhaving a portion to which are connected a plurali ms Inventor: James C.Deitch, Minneapolis,

Minn.

Magnetic Controls Company, Minneapolis, Minn.

June 4, 1973 Appl. No.: 366,363

339/17 R, 339/182, 179/97 Int. H05k 1/18, I-IOlr17/18 [58] Field ofSearch................................ l79/9597;

ZOO/51.09, 51.1; 317/112; 339/119 B, 121,157,198 G, 198 GA, 198 H, 198K,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS limited States Patent 1 Deiteh II ELECTRICAL JACK- [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

Edwards 1 ELECTRICAL JACK The present invention relates generally to thefield of electrical jacks, and more specifically, to an improvedelectrical jack' of the type adapted for side-by-side mounting in anelectrical jack panel.

In the prior art, there are several forms of electrical jacks which areadapted for side-by-side mounting in an electrical jack panel. One basicconstruction of such a jack includes a first relatively rectangularframe section having formed therein a plurality of jack sleeves pro- Ividing for electrical connection between the jack and tions, it providesvery little horizontal stability between such sections along the axisformed by such longitudinal edge. As a result, the second frame sectionis easily misaligned relative to the first frame, section byinadvertentlateral movement of the section while the jack is secured to the jackpanel.

A second form of electrical jack includes a pair of frame members eachhaving afirst portion containing a plurality of jack sleeves forelectrically connecting the jack with a remote terminal and a secondportion adapted for connection with the second portion of the otherframe member by press welding. The second portion also includes asection to which is secured a plurality of jack springs and insulatingblocks which in the aggregate are conventionally referred to as thestack."

Although this type of construction provides for reasonably goodhorizontal stability, it provides for very little vertical stability.Also, because the second section of the frame members are joinedtogether by press welding, these sections are often misaligned relativeto each other, resulting in a non-uniform jack. Additionally, becauseof'the manner in which the jack springs and insulating blocksareconnected to the second sections of the frame members, relative movementbetween the stacks of springs and insulators is permitted in the area onthe frame where the jack springs and insulating blocks are secured tothe frame members. This results in continued stresses being placed onthe second sections and precludes the use of a circuit board forelectrically connecting selected jack springs to each other. ltalsoallows deflection of the jack springs from their intended positionsthereby precluding such springs bers.

2 tive movement between sections of the frame mem- More specifically,the structure of the electrical jack of the present invention includes apair of frame members each having a first section with a plurality ofjack sleeves for electrically connecting the jack with a terminal remotefrom the jack, a second section adapted for connection with the secondsection of the corresponding frame member, and a third section to whichis mounted aplurality of insulating blocks and jack springs. The secondsections are connected together by preformed mating portions to insureproper alignment between the second sections and thus proper alignmentbetween the frame members. The third sections are in-' tegral with thesecond sections and extend therefrom for supporting the insulatingblocks and springs. Finally, the electrical jack of the presentinvention includes a spacing block member connected to and disposedbetween the third sections of the frame members to eliminate relativemovement between the third sections of the frame members and to enableadjacent electrical jacks to be interlocked with each other toprovide'sufiicient vertical stability-for a plurality of adjacent jackswhen so interlocked. I I I Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an electrical jack of the type adapted forside-by-side mounting in an electrical jack panel, which providessufficient horizontal and vertical stability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical jackin which the frame members are con nected to each other in a mannerwhich insures proper alignment between such members.

from making proper connection with the mating plug and distorting thecontact pressure between the springs and contact members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A further object'of the present invention is toprovide an electrical jack having a spacing block disposed be I tweenspaced-apart portions of the two frame members to eliminate relativemovement between such frame members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS the electrical jack of FIG. 3 is a plan viewof the electrical jack of the present invention as viewed from one endof the jack.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the electrical jack of the presentinvention as viewed along the line 4 -4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded plan view, partially in section, showing therelationshipbetween the frame members and the spacing block and themanner in which the same are connectedto each other.

FIG. 6 is a diagramatical view of a plurality of electri-, cal jackspositioned side-by-side in an electrical jack panel. The view of FIG. 6is viewed along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 to. show the interlocking betweenadjacent jacks.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the spacing block member adapted to be used inthe electrical jack of the present invention. I

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a circuit board used in the DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, theelectrical jack of the present invention which is of the type which iscommonly used for telephones or communications," includes a pair ofrelatively L shaped frame members each including a first, second andthird sections (reference numerals 10, ll, 12 and 14, l5, 16respectively). As illustrated, each of the first sections and 14 of theframe members is an elongated relatively rectangular shaped sectionwhich forms one leg of the L shaped frame member and which containsmeans in the form of the jack sleeves l8 and the jack plug 27 shown inFIG. 2 for electrically connecting a portion of the jack with a terminal(not shown) remote from the jack. Each of the first sections 10 and 14further includes an aperture 19 for connecting the jack of the presentinvention to an electrical jack panel by appropriate connecting means(not shown).

lntegrally connected with each of the first sections 10 and 14 anddisposed at right angles thereto is a second section 11 andrespectively. As illustrated, the second sections 11 and 15 arerelatively rectangular sections which are adapted for connection witheach other in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 and described in moredetail below. lntegrally connected with each of the second sections 11and 15 is a third section 12 and 16 respectively. The third sections 12and 16 are connected'with the second sections 11 and 15 at theconnecting point 31 such that the third sections 12 and 16 are spacedapart as shown. Mounted to. each of the third sections 12 and 16 are aplurality of jack springs 21 and 22, connecting springs 24 andinsulating blocks 20. Each of these members 20, 21, 22 and 24 isconnected with its respective third section 12 and 16 by appropriateconnecting members such as a pair of screws 25. An insulating block 20is disposed between each of the jack springs 21 and 22 and theconnecting springs 24 to electrically insulate such springs from eachother.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the jack springs 21 and 22 andeach of the connecting springs 24 have a portion extending past the endof the frame members and past the insulating blocks 20. To enable theelectrical jack to function as desired, certain of these spring memberportions are electrically connected with each other. Conventionally,such connections are accomplished by soldering connecting wires betweenselected spring members. It should be noted that with this type ofconnecting means, a limited amount of relative movement between thethird sections 12 and 16 may occur without adversely affecting thefunctioning of the connecting means. In one embodiment, electricalconnection is achieved between selected spring members 21, 22 and 24 bymeans of a circuit board which is illustrated best in FIGS. 8 and 9 andidentified by the reference numeral 45. Such a circuit board, however,can only be used when relative movement between the third sections 12and 16 is eliminated.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the circuit board 45 is a relativelyrectangular member having a plurality of holes 46 positioned tocorrespond to the portions of the spring members 21, 22 and 24 extendingpast the insulating blocks 20, thereby enabling the circuit board 45 tobe connected with the jack in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2.Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, certain of the holes 46 are providedwith connector members 48 which are adapted for electrical engagementwith certain corresponding spring members 21, 22 and 24. Then, in themanner shown in FIG. 8, these connector members 48, and the springmembers with which each is associated, are electrically connected withcertain of the other connector members 48 and spring members by aconnecting means 49. Although the connecting means 49 may be eitherprinted circuits or metal strapping, the circuit board 45 in thepreferred embodiment contemplates the use of printed circuits as theconnect ing means.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a spacing block member 26 is disposedbetween the third sections 12 and 16 of the frame members. Asillustrated best in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 of the block member 26 is offsetwith respect to the third sections 12 and 16 to enable adjacentelectrical jacks to be interlocked with respect to each other. The block26 also serves to prevent relative movement between the third sections12 and 16 during use of the electrical jack, thereby enabling a circuitboard to be used for electrically connecting the spring members 21, 22and 24. Without the block 26, relative movement would occur between thethird sections 12 and 16 when inserting a plug into the jack sleeve 18.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a conventional jack plug 27having a contact portion 28, a portion 29 by which the plug may begripped and a cord 30 leading to a terminal (not shown) remote from thejack is adapted for insertion into one of the jack sleeves 18 such thatthe contact portion 28 engages the jack springs 21 and 22. However, inorder to make such engagement, the plug must be pushed into the sleeve18 a sufficient distance to enable the contact portion 28'to makeappropriate engagement with the spring 22. When this is done, both thejack springs 21 and 22 are biased outwardly as a result of engagementwith the contact portion 28. This in turn exerts pressure on theconnecting section 31 between the third sections 12 and 16 and thesecond sections 11 and 15 respectively, tending to rotate the thirdsections 12 and 16 inwardly about the connecting portion 31. However,with the presence of the spacing block 26 between the third sections 12and 16, no relative movement between the third sections is permitted.Because of the elimination of the relative movement between the thirdsections 12 and 16, a printed circuit board may be used to makeelectrical connections between certain of the spring members 21, 22 and24. Although the block may be constructed from a variety of materials,the block 26 of the present invention is constructed from anelectrically non-conductive plastic material.

Referring next to FIG. 5, the means by which the second sections 11 and15 are connected with each other and the means by which the spacingmember 26 is connected between the thirdsections 12 and 16 may be seen.As illustrated, the second section 15 includes a pair of male sleeveportions 32 which are adapted for insertion into a corresponding pair offemale openings 34 to make the connection between the second sections 11and 15. The sleeve portions 32 and the openings 34 are preformed in theframe members and are positioned to insure proper alignment between theframe members when connected. It should be noted that the exteriordimension of the sleeves 32 corresponds substantially to the internaldimension of the opening 34 to permit the sleeves 32 to be inserted intothe openings 34 in a relatively tight relationship. One end of eachofthe openings 34 includes a beveled portion 35 enabling the ends ofsleeves 32 to be peened by suitable means to securely connect the secondsections 1 1 and l5to each other. I

To connect the block 26 properly between the third sections 12 and 16,each of the third sections includes a pair of sleeves 36 extending.toward the opposing third section and functioning to retain the spacingmember 26 between the third sections l2 and 16 inits proper position. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the spacing member 26 includes openings 38 and39 extending therethrough with internal dimensions approximating theexterior dimensions of the sleeve portions36 so that the sleeves 36 mayextend into the opening 38 and 39 when the member 26 is properlypositionedbetween the thirdsections l2 and 16. It should be noted thatthe internal surface of each of the sleeves 36 contains threads adaptedfor threaded connection with the screw members 25 (FIGS.1 and 2) forconnecting the spring members 21, 22 and 24 and the insulating blocks(FIGS. 1 and 2) to the third sections 12 and'16.

With reference next to FIG. 7, the holes 38 and 39 which extend throughthe spacing block 26 are positioned to insure proper positioning of theblock 26 be-- tween the third sections 12 and 16. The block 26 alsoincludes a second pair of openings 40 and 41 which serve as reliefopenings to eliminate certain stressed on the block 26.

With reference to FIG. 4, the spacing block 26 is disposed between 1 thethird sections 12 and 16 of the frame members such that a portion of thespacing block 26 extends outwardly from a first imaginary plan bridgingafirst edge of the third sections 12 and 16. Further, a portion 44 ofthe spacing block 26 is recessed from a second imagineryplane bridging asecond edge of the thirdsections l2 and 16 to enable the outwardlyextending portion 42 of the block 26 of an adjacent jack to beinterlocked with the recessed portion 44.

Thus, with the offset arrangement of the blocks 26, a plurality ofelectrical jacks may be mounted in sideby-side relationship in themanner illustrated in FIG. 6

As shown, adjacent jacks are interlocked as a result of the portion 42of the block 26 extending into and interlocking with or engaging therecessed portion 44 of the block 26 of an adjacent jack. With thisinterlocking relationship between adjacent jacks, the entire jackassembly is provided with additional vertical stability, a quality whichnone of the jacks have individually.

Although the description of the preferred embodi-- 1. An electrical jackof the type adapted for side-byside mounting in an electrical jack panelcomprising:

a pair of frame members each including first, second and third sections,said first section having means for electrically connecting a portion ofsaid jack with a tenninal remote from said jack, said second section inabutting engagement with the second section of the other frame member ofsaid pair of frame members, and said third section being spaced from thethird section of the other frame member of said pair of frame membersand a block member connected-with and disposed between the thirdsections of said pair of frame members, said block member being offsetrelative to said third sections to enable interlocking relationshipbetween adjacent, jacks.

2. The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein said block member isadaptedfor interlocking relationship with a recess formed between thethirdsections of an adjacent jack. Y

3. The electrical jack of claim wherein said block member is disposedbetween said third sections such that a portion of said block extendsoutwardly from a first imaginary plane bridging a first edge of saidthird sections for interlocking engagement with an adjacent jackand'such thata portion of said block is sufficiently I recessed from asecond imaginary plane bridging a second edge of said third sections toenable interlocking relationship between adjacent jacks.

4. The electrical jack of claim 3 wherein a portion of said block memberextends outwardly from said first imaginary plane the same distancethata portion of said block is recessed from said second imaginaryplane.

5. The electrical jack of claimA wherein the second sections ofcorresponding frame members include {are formed mating male and femaleportions for connecting said second sections together.

6. The electricaljack of claim 1 having electrical connecting membersmounted to the third sections of each of said frame members.

7. The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein each of said frame members isan L shaped member with said first section forming one leg thereof andwith said second and thirdsections forming the other leg thereof.

8. The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein the second sections ofcorresponding frame members include preformed mating male and femaleportions for connecting said second sections together.

9. The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein said block member serves toeliminate relative movement be tween said third sections.

10. The electrical jack of claim 1 having a plurality of jack springsmounted to each of said third sections and having a printed circuitboard associated with said plurality of jack springs for electricallyconnecting selected jack springs.

1. An electrical jack of the type adapted for side-by-side mounting inan electrical jack panel comprising: a pair of frame members eachincluding first, second and third sections, said first section havingmeans for electrically connecting a portion of said jack with a terminalremote from said jack, said second section in abutting engagement withthe second section of the other frame member of said pair of framemembers, and said third section being spaced from the third section ofthe other frame member of said pair of frame members and a block memberconnected with and disposed between the third sections of said pair offrame members, said block member being offset relative to said thirdsections to enable interlocking relationship between adjacent jacks. 2.The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein said block member is adapted forinterlocking relationship with a recess formed between the thirdsections of an adjacent jack.
 3. The electrical jack of claim 2 whereinsaid block member is disposed between said third sections such that aportion of said block extends outwardly from a first imaginary planebridging a first edge of said third sections for interlocking engagementwith an adjacent jack and such that a portion of said block issufficiently recessed from a second imaginary plane bridging a secondedge of said third sections to enable interlocking relationship betweenadjacent jacks.
 4. The electrical jack of claim 3 wherein a portion ofsaid block member extends outwardly from said first imaginary plane thesame distance that a portion of said block is recessed from said secondimaginary plane.
 5. The electrical jack of claim 4 wherein the secondsections of corresponding frame members include preformed mating maleand female portions for connecting said second sections together.
 6. Theelectrical jack of claim 1 having electrical connecting members mountedto the third sections of each of said frame members.
 7. The electricaljack of claim 1 wherein each of said frame members is an L shaped memberwith said first section forming one leg thereof and with said second andthird sections forming the other leg thereof.
 8. The electrical jack ofclaim 1 wherein the second sections of corresponding frame membersinclude preformed mating male and female portions for connecting saidsecond sections togetHer.
 9. The electrical jack of claim 1 wherein saidblock member serves to eliminate relative movement between said thirdsections.
 10. The electrical jack of claim 1 having a plurality of jacksprings mounted to each of said third sections and having a printedcircuit board associated with said plurality of jack springs forelectrically connecting selected jack springs.